Aspire 100

Aspire 100 Description

Easy handling and maneuverability with great stability, the 100 is sized perfectly to fit a female or small-framed paddler comfortably. Named "Best for Beginners" by Men's Journal, April 2013. Designed for the paddler who prefers agility over brawn, the Aspire is a performance-oriented recreational kayak that bridges that gap between efficiency and stability.

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Read reviews for the Aspire 100 by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers.
All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

I had the Wilderness...

I had the Wilderness Systems Aspire 100 it was a great kayak for all ages! It was very sturdy and reliable on rough water and also in calm waters. I loved that it was so light compared to other kayaks I have had. I highly recommend this kayak to anyone looking to purchase a kayak!

I purchased the Aspire 100...

I purchased the Aspire 100 over the winter and got a great price! I have taken it out on 3 floats so far, and it is very smooth and stable. Solid construction, hatch is water tight, tracks nicely although not super fast. Great for beginner to intermediate lake and slow river paddling. Kayak is sturdy, and well made. The foot pegs are really easy to adjust from the seated position and the seat is comfy and has way more adjustment than I need. I recommend this yak to everyone!

New purchase today and...

Submitted by:Anonymouson 9/24/2015

New purchase today and first time on the water w/Aspire 100 was a very comfortable one. Spacious cockpit, though, a tad wide. There's room for my long legs. I'm 5"10'. The skeg was nice to have available to use and the compartment is a great size. Price seemed fair for the quality.

I bought this kayak for my...

Submitted by:Anonymouson 7/29/2015

I bought this kayak for my 9 year old daughter when I got a Pungo 120 for myself. My rating is based on the Aspire as a recreational kayak only. It is a well made recreational boat that is very comfortable due to the well loved Phase 3 seat and really large cockpit. lots of room in the cockpit for gear and even more in the stern compartment. The stern hatch has a lever to open and close it that is easy to use.

The Aspire is very stable. Initial stability is really all I'm talking about because there is no edging the Aspire. It is too wide for its 10 foot length to put over on edge. This doesn't matter much because it is really easy to turn using just sweep strokes. My 9 yr. old had no problem maneuvering around. It doesn't track as good as the Pungo but the drop down skeg improves the tracking a lot. The skeg uses a cord that catches in a wedge to lower and raise it. That was a bit awkward to work and I think it would fray over time.

For my girl the boat was a little wide. At 27.5" wide, she had some trouble hitting the paddle on the side of the boat. For an adult this may not be a problem. The Aspire was at its best in the Congaree National Park in South Carolina. It was easy to maneuver around the cypress trees in the swamp. We sold the Aspire and Pungo because we wanted kayaks that we learn more skills in and use for bigger trips.

If you want a small, comfortable kayak for short excursions, then this is a fine one.

Aspire - 2015 model
Great kayak, good price. great paddling and skeg is…

Aspire - 2015 model
Great kayak, good price. great paddling and skeg is nice feature and easy to deploy when desired. Great thigh rests and holders for water, phone or whatever. A little lighter might be nice but overall the best kayak I have used for a long time.

Three months ago I had...

Submitted by:Anonymouson 7/23/2014

Three months ago I had never been in a kayak. One trip with some friends and I was hooked. Bought the WILDERNESS SYSTEMS Aspire100 two days later. I love this boat.

It is perfect for a first time kayaker of smaller frame. Extremely stable. I've never had a problem getting in and out with the 44" cockpit. Probably fall out of it the next time out, now that I mentioned that. The Phrase 3 seat is comfortable for almost any length trip. It adjusts 3 ways to add to your comfort, right from the seat.

I really like the Sidelock footbrace system, especially soon after I got the boat and was trying to find the optimal settings for me. One of the BEST features is the unique drywell hatch. Two latches and it's open, in or out of the kayak. The skeg is easy to deploy and allows the boat to track straight and true. Loading is easy at 44lbs. I use a Thule Loader bar.

I gave the boat a '9' only because now I want a 12' or 13' kayak. I'm sure I'll buy another kayak this winter (good wife willing), but I will keep the Aspire100 and continue to paddle it or perhaps use it as a loaner for a person new to kayaking. This kayak will give you all the enjoyment this sport offers, no matter the weather.

I bought the Aspire 100...

Submitted by:Anonymouson 4/18/2014

I bought the Aspire 100 for when I want to get a quick hour or two on the water. It is very light at 44 pounds and not that awkward to carry due to the relatively short 10 foot length. Also, there is a built in retractable skeg and with it deployed the kayak tracked straight as an arrow. The manufacturer states this kayak is designed for smaller framed people. I spent 4 hours last weekend on the lake fishing, and the seating system was extremely comfortable. I gave this kayak a 9 out of 10.